Oranienburg in the Oberhavel district in Brandenburg is where you can experience the power of history to overwhelm and shake your very being. History does not always have to be about distant wars or saccharine happy endings. Sometimes it’s a sobering reminder of dark chapters.
If you so wish, you can visit the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp for political prisoners during the World War II. It is now a public museum with restored buildings and information about the war years.
The Oranienburg Castle is a sunnier episode dating back to the 17th century. Of an early baroque style originally it was later restored to modern styles in the last century. At present it does duty as a museum housing various works of art.
Don’t miss the porcelain cabinet with a number of valuable Asian artistic works from the 16th century. Entry to this place may be restricted at times, but you can still admire this elegant edifice from the outside.
The pleasure gardens of Oranienburg have no such restrictions and is yours to enjoy anytime. A beautiful landscaped park, you are sure to be spending a lot of leisure time here in its pleasant environs. Enjoy the Orangery and the fabulous gateway.
Another interesting site to visit would be the local museum, the Heimatmuseum housed in a splendid building in the early Baroque style. Of considerable historic significance is the Old Orphanage building located at Havelstraße. A casualty of World War II, an entire wing of the building is in ruins.
While in Oranienburg, you should certainly go up to the Centrum Judaicum on Oranienburger Straße. This synagogue with its golden dome was in ruins after the war, but has since been restored to its former glory and is now a splendid museum of Jewish culture. It is well worth visiting for a real cultural treat.
